My good friend's son has always tested at around 70, and was identified in Kindergarden as having some learning issues. For example, after two years with the same teacher, if you asked him his teacher's name, he might not be able to tell you. He could NEVER remember multi-step verbal directions like "Go upstairs and get your coat and then tell your brother we are leaving".
He has had some pull-out tutoring throughout his school years. It was hard for him to learn to read, but once he did he read a lot, even though it is slow going for him. Grades 7 and 8 he stayed home and was homeschooled. When he returned to school in 9th grade they said he was too advanced to receive tutoring any more, and my friend had to advocate for him to get it. He gets A's and B's. He is very interested in history and is a very good writer.
I guess I would summarize his situation by saying the things that are hard or impossible for him really are hard, but he has many strengths that will serve him well as an adult. She once feared he would not be able to grow up, earn a living and be independent, but those fears are long gone. His mom's only regret is that she couldn't homeschool him throughout, as the negative treatment he got from peers for being "special ed" has been the most damaging part of the whole thing.
On a lighter note, I have always tested very high on tests, and yet my oldest child was ELEVEN before I figured out that everyone getting ready in the morning would go much more quickly and smoothly if I would simply purchase another comb, so that more than one of us (four girls) could comb our hair at the same time! Test scores aren't everything
